In the Republican primary runoff for the reconfigured 13th Congressional District in North Carolina, voters will choose between attorneys Kelly Daughtry and Brad Knott. Daughtry finished first and Knott second in the primary held on March 5. Trump endorsed Knott in April, which led to Daughtry suspending her campaign, although the runoff continued with both names on the ballot. The winner of the runoff will face Democrat Frank Pierce in November, with Trump’s influence being a significant factor in the race.
Trump’s endorsement of Knott in the North Carolina congressional race is not the first time the former president has intervened in the state’s politics. Previously, he endorsed a challenger to Daughtry in a different primary, as well as endorsed candidates in other races. With North Carolina being a key battleground state, Trump’s involvement in local politics highlights his continued influence within the Republican party, and his track record of endorsing winning candidates.
A total of 14 candidates initially competed for the 13th District seat, which represents multiple counties in and around Raleigh. The district was reconfigured by the Republican-controlled legislature, prompting the current Democratic U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel not to seek reelection. Republicans are expecting to gain three seats in the U.S. House from North Carolina in the upcoming election due to redistricting. Daughtry was the top fundraiser and vote-getter in the primary but did not reach the required threshold to avoid a runoff, leading to the current race between her and Knott.
Despite initially being the frontrunner in the race, Daughtry decided to suspend her campaign following Trump’s endorsement of Knott. Trump referred to Daughtry as a “RINO” (Republican in Name Only) and criticized her for not being a supporter of his “Make America Great Again” agenda. In other runoff races, there are candidates vying for the positions of lieutenant governor and state auditor, with the winners facing Democratic opponents in the general election. The runoff voting is open to registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters who participated in the March primaries or did not vote. Turnout for the runoffs is expected to be low.
The influence of Trump in the North Carolina primary runoff highlights the continued impact he has on Republican politics nationwide. With the state being a crucial battleground in the upcoming election, the outcome of the runoff between Daughtry and Knott will be closely watched. The race for the 13th District seat is one of several contests in North Carolina that will determine the makeup of the state’s congressional delegation. Despite challenges and suspensions, candidates are pushing ahead with their campaigns, aiming to secure victory in the primary runoffs and ultimately in the general election in November.
